Liverpool 3, Bolton 0: Robbie Keane double a match for rivals

There will, of course, be many tougher challenges than this to come, mainly because a negative Bolton failed to provide one.

However, the anxiety that has undermined recent attempts to extend - or in yesterday's case, regain - that lead on their home ground was discarded like Christmas wrapping, with Albert Riera settling the early nerves and Robbie Keane settling a few scores with two second-half goals.

And with Chelsea and United both having posted three points of their own earlier in the day, it was absolutely vital.

Especially as Liverpool went into the game having slipped from the top when Luiz Felipe Scolari's men banished their own home demons for a routine victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The failure to win at Anfield since they recorded their own win over WBA in early November is the main reason why Chelsea are still in such a threatening position and remain so by sitting just one point off Liverpool's flimsy lead.

But while debilitating draws with Fulham, West Ham and Hull have foiled Liverpool's attempts to capitalise on others dropping points, they proved yesterday that while they lost their lead, it wouldn't lead to them losing their confidence.

The tempo and tenacity in evidence from the kick-off ensured that Wanderers would never be able to cope and Riera's 26th-minute header was reward for that.

However, it was Keane who will be most satisfied with the way the afternoon unfolded.

Before Sunday, his only two Premier League goals for Liverpool had come in that simple win over bottom side West Brom.

But he has now scored more than that in his last two games and in the process has transformed his fledgling Anfield career - and he was even allowed to complete the full 90 minutes yesterday.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

The Irishman proved his worth as a lone striker with a stunning strike against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Sunday.

You'd struggle to find anything sweeter in your selection box.

Still brimming with confidence from that, Keane settled the issue against Bolton with two goals in five minutes, a perfectly timed contribution not just in terms of the game but as a message to those who might be preparing to wave their chequebooks at Benitez in five days' time.

Any such speculation clearly isn't weighing heavily on the player himself, proven by the carefree way he took his first goal, hitting Steven Gerrard's weighted pass first-time with his left foot without breaking stride.

The tap-in from Yossi Benayoun's centre five minutes later ensured Benitez could relax in the directors' box for the final half-hour - he may not have been in his favourite seat but he hasn't enjoyed an afternoon at Anfield as much for a long time.

As he is still recovering from his kidney stones operation, Sammy Lee again got the chance to head up the bench and stand alongside the man who replaced him as Bolton manager, Gary Megson.

When that switch was made at the Reebok just over a year ago, Megson quickly became known as The Ginger Mourinho and yesterday it was easy to see why - he loves the sound of his voice.

But that's where the similarities end and for all the Bolton manager's screaming from the sidelines, there's only so many ways you can say: "Keep 10 men behind the ball at all times."

That was the only instruction this disappointing lot needed.

No surprise then to see that spoiling tactics were the order of the day and Sunday's Premier League programme was almost ready to kick off by the time Jussi Jaaskelaininen got round to taking his first goal kick.

Time wasting after just two minutes is never a good sign.

And for Bolton, neither was Liverpool's start.

Busy, decisive, determined and full of belief that this wouldn't be another occasion when the home supporters were subjected to a painful wait to break down more unfancied opposition.

An early goal was therefore vital to ensure the early superiority wasn't wasted and Riera seemed the most likely to get it.

Two early drives threatened, one being deflected over by Keane, the other badly needing a deflection off something given how woefully wide he dragged it.

Emiliano Insua almost enhanced his growing reputation early on, too, as he forced Jaaskealainien to block his volley direct from Gerrard's corner.

And it was that outlet that provided the breakthrough on 26 minutes, the captain's set-piece being met by Riera on the near post and he flicked the ball in for his third goal since joining from Espanyol.

With a foothold in the game, Liverpool did something they have rarely been able to do at Anfield recently - enjoy themselves.

Jamie Carragher certainly did, even if he was asked to fill the right-back slot in the absence of Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury.

It wasn't difficult, however. Ricardo Gardner showed absolutely no intention of getting anywhere near the areas from which he should have scored twice in his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, and Carragher loved it. He even decided to go roaming like a kid rooting for presents on Christmas Eve, and he almost got the gift of a goal - from 30 yards with his left foot. But in true Boxing Day style, everyone sobered up and things gradually got back to normality.

Eight minutes into the second half, Gerrard's superb vision sent Keane away and his left-footed drive ensured Jaskelainien was beaten at his near post for a second time.

Then just five minutes later, the lively Benayoun picked up Xabi Alonso's pass and found himself in space on the right to pick out Keane for an easy tap-in to complete a spell that left Bolton dead and buried.

Megson had done his best to avoid that scenario by replacing Jlloyd Samuel with Kevin Davies at half-time but the fact that Johan Elmander's late trickler was the closest they came to a goal says everything about the competition they provided.

For Liverpool's part, the latter stages were all about substitutions and fixing one eye firmly on an unhelpful noon kick-off at Newcastle tomorrow.

But extend the lead to four points before Chelsea go to Fulham and then Benitez will be guaranteed to see in 2009 on top of the Premier League.

In terms of wishing him a Happy New Year? Better wait until May...